Chandigarh: Haryana government on Friday imposed a ban on holding social and cultural events, including government programmes, in all sports stadiums across the state.

The ban was ordered by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij who said only sports events will be held in these stadiums.

He directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, to take appropriate steps in this regard.

All deputy commissioners and district sports officers have been told that stadiums should not be allowed for such events because these left them in a bad shape, he said and directed the officials to get such grounds repaired which are in bad shape.

Sports stadiums are meant only for sports events but in the past these have been used for holding wedding parties and cultural programmes which spoilt them, he said.

Tents for such events left the ground with potholes and increased the chances of sportpersons getting hurt while practising.

Also, during such events, people often litter the ground with waste paper, plates, empty bottles and garbage which hinder practice by sportspersons, he added.

Vij admitted that even during government programmes such negligence was seen.

"That is why holding of all such government programmes in sports stadiums has been banned," he said.